Hi, I am aiming to begin (not sure where yet) Camino Frances in September. I'll be 68 the day before I set out to France. So have about two months to get in shape (build up to 20 miles per day - with small backpack).
There is no plan and no schedule after I take the first step on the actual road.
Obviously questions abound.
Water
Is water available only in hostels? Or are there wells along the way? Will I need to boil/purify the water before drinking?
Real trails
After finding out this is not a trail at all, but 400 odd miles of hard surfaced road, I've had to buy street shoes with soft/air heels to walk the thing in (hard, rubber heeled, hiking shoes damage knees on such distances). Are there any parallel "real trails" on the Camino Frances? Del Norte is out for me at this stage, so am not considering it.
Passports
Do I have to sleep in a hostel, get the stamp in order to sleep in the next hostel? What if I bivvy up somewhere for the night and cannot get a stamp?
Bed bugs
Are bed bugs really a serious problem along the way? From what little I've read on the forums, it appears the entire thing is plagued with the things.
Camping
Could I camp the entire route?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/input etc.
There is no plan and no schedule after I take the first step on the actual road.
Obviously questions abound.
Water
Is water available only in hostels? Or are there wells along the way? Will I need to boil/purify the water before drinking?
Real trails
After finding out this is not a trail at all, but 400 odd miles of hard surfaced road, I've had to buy street shoes with soft/air heels to walk the thing in (hard, rubber heeled, hiking shoes damage knees on such distances). Are there any parallel "real trails" on the Camino Frances? Del Norte is out for me at this stage, so am not considering it.
Passports
Do I have to sleep in a hostel, get the stamp in order to sleep in the next hostel? What if I bivvy up somewhere for the night and cannot get a stamp?
Bed bugs
Are bed bugs really a serious problem along the way? From what little I've read on the forums, it appears the entire thing is plagued with the things.
Camping
Could I camp the entire route?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/input etc.